What is a Phytogenic Feed Additive?

Date: 2018-04-25

Author: Michael Noonan, Global Product Manager Phytogenics

Phytogenic feed additives, known as PFAs or botanicals, are substances of plant origin added to animal diets at recommended levels with the aim of improving animal performance. Essential oils, herbs and spices all serve as sources for bioactive ingredients, e.g. phenols and flavonoids.

Phytogenics include a broad range of plant materials, most of which have a long history in human nutrition, where they have been used as flavors, food preservatives and medicines since ancient times.

Table 1. Herbs and spices with known benefits for farm animals

Herb/spice

Latin name

Plant family

Main constituents

Key Benefits

Oregano

Oreganum vulgare

Labiateae

Carvacrol, thymol

Antimicrrobial, Antioxidant

Thyme

Thymus vulgare

Labiateae

Thymol, carvacrol

Antioxidant, Antimicrobial

Garlic

Allium sativum L.

Alliaceae, Liliaceae

Diallyldisulfide, alliin, alliciin

Lipid digestion, antimicrobial

Horseradish

Armoracia rusticana

Brassicaceae

Allyl-isothiocyanate

Immunity booster

Chili, Cayenne Pepper

Capsicum frutescens

Solanaceae

Capsaicin

Appetite, palatability

Peppermint

Mentha piperita

Labiateae

Menthol, carvacrol

Stomach, improving gut peristalsis

Cinnamon

Cinnamomum cassia

Lauraceae

Cinnamaldehyde

Antimicrobial, Appetising

Anise

Pimpinella anisum

Apiaceae, Umbelliferae

Anethol

Appetite, stomach peristalsis

Source: BIOMIN

Effects in animals

Phytogenics are known to have a range of biologically active properties that are beneficial in modern livestock production, including: antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and digestion-enhancing effects.1 For example, phenols such as thymol, carvacrol and eugenol (often derived from thyme, oregano and clove) and their methyl ethers have a very strong antiseptic and antimicrobial effect. Species of the families of Apiaceae such as caraway and fennel and Lamiaceae (e.g. rosemary and peppermint) have strong antioxidative properties. Other plant compounds support better digestibility by boosting digestive secretions such as bile, mucus and saliva as well as enhancing enzyme activity.

Main benefits

The use of phytogenic feed additives offers a number of benefits to producers, including:

enhanced animal performance

improved feed efficiency

reduced emissions

Overall, PFAs are capable of reducing microbial threat and promoting intestinal health, which is imperative for optimal performance and profitability.2

Reasons for PFA use

Nutritionists, growers, business owners, veterinarians and consultants located in over 100 countries provided their views on the use of plant-derived compounds in farm animal nutrition within the framework of the 2017 BIOMIN Phytogenic Feed Additives Survey.

Digestibility enhancement ranked as the number one reason that the livestock industry uses phtogenics, followed by their perceived antimicrobial effects, their use within an AGP replacement strategy and growth promotion. Respondents also cited PFAs’ anti-inflammatory effects, good past experience with PFAs, an optimized feed conversion ratio (FCR), and higher feed intake as reasons that they use phytogenic feed additives.

Figure 1. Top reasons that respondents use phytogenic feed additives

A growing market

While PFAs have been used in commercial agriculture settings since the 1980s, only around 5% of feed used worldwide includes these plant-based products.

Numerous trends, including antibiotic reduction, the uptake of novel growth promoters (NGPs) to optimize feed costs, the drive to improve efficiency and requirements to reduce emissions should boost demand worldwide for plant-derived additives in the future.

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